Pets are uplifting, funny, and they sometimes seem to understand us in a way no other human can. Research continues to prove that pets in our lives offer us lots of mood-boosting and health benefits. Simply by sharing our homes, pets can help protect us from allergies, ease our distress, and more. Following are some key ways in which pets can affect your mood and health for the better.
Unconditional Love
As humans, we do best emotionally and medically when we feel securely attached to others. This is how we have evolved. We feel particularly secure with our pets because of the unconditional love they provide. Unlike other people, pets don’t judge us. Instead, they accept us for who we are. This helps make us see ourselves through their eyes and ultimately increase our self-worth. Their calming and radiant presence can lower your stress and elevate your mood in a matter of seconds.
Any Pet Can Improve Your Health
When you think about pets and their associated health benefits, cats or dogs usually come to mind. However, they are not the only pets that can improve your health. Any pet can help you in this regard. For instance, if you are allergic to other animals, a rabbit could be your ideal companion. Birds can help you keep your mind sharp as well as encourage social interaction. There are many other exotic companions, e.g. lizards, snakes, etc. that provide mood-boosting benefits. Even watching fish in an aquarium is a great stress reliever. The companionship offered by any of these pets can ease loneliness and boost your mood.
Companionship
Companionship is the most obvious benefit of pet ownership. Your pet will remain at your side even when you are sick. That loyalty and companionship is an asset that helps people live comfortably in their homes. In addition to this benefit, pets such as dogs can be trained to help a person balance and turn on lights, open and close doors, pick up dropped items, and more. At the end of the day, your pet may be just the medicine you need to live a happy, fulfilled, and stress-free life.
Find Meaning and Joy in Life
Caring for a pet can provide a significant boost to your self-esteem. The charming personality of your pet will surely rub off on you. Taking care of a pet can provide a feeling of validation and a sense of purpose. This kind of interaction is good for all of us and it is particularly helpful for older individuals who experience loneliness and other difficulties. The sense of purpose and joy a pet provides can be crucial to fighting mental health problems, e.g. depression.
In conclusion, interaction with pets can play a key role in supporting our health and mental wellbeing. All the above-listed benefits are a reminder of the great influence our pets have on our health and in our lives in general. The influence that we often take for granted.
Photos by: Dominika Roseclay, Jonas Vincent, Tima Miroshnichenko, Zen Chung, Wade Austin Ellis